Fluid heat exchanger assembly and personal cooling device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a fluid heat exchanger assembly comprising: a fluid inlet; a cooler fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet having a cooler fluid outlet; a warmer fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and having a warmer fluid outlet; and at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface, positioned between the warmer fluid conduit and the cooler fluid conduit, such that the cooling wafer surface faces the cooler fluid conduit and the warmer wafer surface faces the warmer fluid conduit; whereupon electrical activation of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device the cooling wafer becomes relatively cool in comparison to the warmer wafer surface becoming relatively warm. Additionally, the heat exchanger assembly may receive ambient air flowing through a fluid inlet positioned within or on a vehicle such that the cooler fluid is directed into at least one item taken from the group of: a body-suit worn by a driver of a vehicle, apparel worn by a driver of a vehicle and protective equipment worn by a driver of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid heat exchanger assemblyand more particularly to a personal cooling device. The inventionutilizes commercially available thermoelectric heat transfer deviceshaving the capability to concurrently provide heating and cooling onopposing sides of the device.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] The heating and/or cooling of fluid (i.e., gases or liquids) intransmit or at a point of accumulation has been effected in a multitudeof fashions dating back as far as the origin of the very reasons forsuch heat transfer. A majority of the pieces of prior art typicallycenter around heat transfer from or to a fluid by the circulation ofcurrents from one region to another.

[0004] In the area of vehicle racing in particular, special suits areused by individuals in an attempt to maintain a cooler epidermaltemperature while performing various strenuous or dangerous acts. Onesuch product, in particular, the K&P Temp Suit, is a hooded vest madefrom a loose-knit cotton fabric with a nylon inner liner worn by adriver while competing in an automobile race. The system is suppliedwith the suit, an ice with chest with a pump, a timer, fittings, wireconnecters and enough hose and wires to mount the components almostanywhere in the vehicle. The cooling system, in particular, consists ofeither a 16-quart or 8-quart ice chest with a built-in pump and attachedhose. The manufacturer of this device indicates that using the 16-quartchest the ice load will last up to four hours depending upon the coolingline insulation, test location and heat load. Temperature control isaccomplished by a variable timer. This timer cycles the pump on and offat various rates thereby controlling the temperature. The suit, inparticular, has a chin strap which keeps a cooling tube against the backof the neck thereby cooling the back of the neck. The chin strap and thevest front are fastened by velcro, thereby making fastening orunfastening simple. The suit is connected to the cooling system by aquick release or dry brake connecter.

[0005] Other designs of racing suits have centered around various formsof fabric which are considered to “breath.” These fabrics allow watervapor emitted from the epidermal layer to pass through the fabricthereby taking heat from the epidermal layer to the environment.Additionally, body-suits worn by those involved in hazardous activitiestypically provide regions or layers which are impervious to air flow forvarious safety reasons. However, these safety reasons often conflictwith the ability of the wearer to stay relatively cool in performingtheir duties by inhibiting air flow for cooling the epidermal region ofthe wearer, thus generally inhibiting the stamina of the wearer. Thesesystems have compromised the cooling capabilities of various fabricsdirectly to inhibit the very air flow which could present a danger tothe wearer. Other body-suits have been developed in which cool liquidsare circulated throughout a particular apparel, only to be refrigeratedand reticulated again.

[0006] Additionally, racing helmets for stock car drivers have beenfitted with built-in side ports to accommodate air conditioning hoses orventilation hoses. An example of such a ventilation hose attachment maybe seen on NASCAR Winston Cup type vehicles where a duct is placed inthe driver's window opening, which is cupped inward toward the driver,pulling air into an attached ventilation hose which flows into a sideport on the driver's helmet. Additionally, these helmets have variousvents which can be opened to provide variable flow, thus directing theair flow to a particular region(s) that the driver desires. Helmets wornby open wheel racers or motorcycle racers, in general, typically havevents which can be opened in a variable fashion or completely closedthereby directing airflow into the helmet in various orientations. Thesehelmets need not use the duct and ventilation hose used by stock cardrivers, because in large part their helmet is directly in the line offluid or air flow over the cockpit.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention relates to a heat transfer system forcooling fluids utilizing one or more thermoelectric devices being madeup of two ceramic wafers and a series of P and N doped semi-conductorblocks positioned there between. The ceramic wafered thermoelectricdevices are used to cool a conduit(s) through which the fluid is passed.Effective heat transfer is brought about when the fluid moves throughthe conduit enabling conduction between the ceramic waferedthermoelectric device and the particles of the conduit.

[0008] Advantageously, the ceramic wafered thermoelectric devicesoperate on relatively low power and voltages and are relatively durable.Because the ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices emanate thermalenergy on the side of the devices opposite that of the cooling side, theexemplary embodiment of the present invention may utilize a plurality ofconduits for fluid flow enabling the heat withdrawn from a first conduitto be distributed to at least a second conduit.

[0009] It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a fluidheat exchanger assembly comprising: a fluid inlet; a cooler fluidconduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet having a coolerfluid outlet; a warmer fluid conduit in fluid communication with thefluid inlet and having a warmer fluid outlet; and at least one ceramicwafered thermoelectric device having a cooling wafer surface and anopposed warming wafer surface, positioned between the warmer fluidconduit and the cooler fluid conduit, such that the cooling wafersurface faces the cooler fluid conduit and the warming wafer surfacefaces the warmer fluid conduit; where upon electrical activation of theceramic wafered thermoelectric device the cooling wafer becomesrelatively cool in comparison to the warming wafer surface becomingrelatively warm.

[0010] It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide amethod of exchanging heat between at least two fluid conduits comprisingthe steps of: providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectricdevice having at least a cooling wafer surface and a warming wafersurface opposing the cooling wafer surface; and positioning the ceramicwafered thermoelectric device to develop a thermal gradient betweenfluid within a conduit to be cooled and the cooling wafer surface of theceramic wafered thermoelectric device, and to develop a thermal gradientbetween fluid within a conduit to be heated and the warming wafersurface of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device.

[0011] It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a fluidheat exchanging assembly comprising: a fluid inlet; a cooler fluidconduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and splitting intoat least two parallel conduits between the fluid inlet and at least onecooler fluid outlet; at least one warmer fluid conduit in fluidcommunication with the fluid inlet; at least two ceramic waferedthermoelectric devices each having a cooling wafer surface opposing awarming wafer surface, a first one of the ceramic wafered thermoelectricwafer devices being positioned between the warmer fluid conduit and afirst one of the parallel conduits, such that the cooling wafer surfacefaces the first one of the parallel conduits and the warming wafersurface faces a section of the warmer fluid conduit, the second ceramicwafered thermoelectric device being positioned between the warmer fluidconduit and a second one of the parallel conduits such that the coolingwafer surface faces the second one of the parallel conduits and thewarming wafer surface faces a section of the warmer fluid conduit; apower source operatively coupled to the ceramic wafered thermoelectricdevice; and a warmer fluid outlet in fluid communication with the warmerfluid conduit.

[0012] It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide a fluidheat exchanging assembly comprising: a fluid inlet; a warmer fluidconduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and splitting intoat least two parallel conduits between the fluid inlet and at least onewarmer fluid outlet; at least one cooler fluid conduit in fluidcommunication with the fluid inlet; at least two ceramic waferedthermoelectric devices each having a cooling wafer surface opposing awarming wafer surface, the first one of the ceramic waferedthermoelectric devices being positioned between the cooler fluid conduitand a first one of the parallel conduits such that the warming wafersurface faces the first one of the parallel conduits and the coolingwafer surface faces a section of the cooler fluid conduit, the secondceramic watered thermoelectric device being positioned between thecooler fluid conduit and a second one of the parallel conduits such thatthe warming wafer surface faces the second one of the parallel conduitsand the cooling wafer surface faces a section of the cooler fluidconduit; a power source operatively coupled to the ceramic waferedthermoelectric device; and a cooler fluid outlet in fluid communicationwith the cooler fluid conduit.

[0013] It is a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide a methodof cooling the epidermis of a human being comprising the steps of:providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having atleast a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface;developing a thermal gradient between the fluid to be cooled and thecooling wafer surface of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device bythe ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; and directing the cooledfluid through a region in fluid communication with the epidermis of ahuman being.

[0014] It is a sixth aspect of the present invention to provide a methodfor protecting the epidermis of a human being comprising the steps of:providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having atleast a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface;developing a thermal gradient between the fluid to be cooled and thecooling wafer surface of the ceramic watered thermoelectric device bythe ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; directing the cooled fluid toa region approximate the epidermis of a human being; and selectivelydispersing a combustion suppression fluid in place of, or in combinationwith, the cooled fluid when conditions for combustion are present or aredetected.

[0015] It is a seventh aspect of the present invention to provide amethod of cooling the epidermis of a human being comprising the stepsof: providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device havingat least a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface;utilizing the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device to develop a thermalgradient between the fluid to be cooled and the cooling wafer surface ofthe ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; donning hazardous dutyapparel by a human being, the apparel having a plurality of conduits forcooling fluid flow; and directing the cooled fluid to the plurality ofconduits in the apparel.

[0016] It is an eighth aspect of the present invention to provide apersonal cooling device for use with hazardous duty equipment and/orapparel (such as racing equipment and/or apparel), comprising: an airconduit having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being in fluidcommunication with an item of racing apparel, an item of hazardous dutyapparel, a protective helmet, a harness, a belt, a shoe, a sock, aglove, and/or a body suit; and at least one ceramic waferedthermoelectric device having a warming wafer surface opposing a coolingwafer surface, positioned in close proximity to the air conduit and suchthat the cooling wafer surface faces the air conduit so as to allow heattransfer between the air conduit and the cooling wafer surface.

[0017] It is a ninth aspect of the present invention to provide apersonal cooling system for a racecar driver, comprising: a protectivehelmet having at least one coolant air path extending therein in fluidcommunication with an inlet; an air intake mounted to the racecaradapted to receive at least a portion of air flowing past the racecar; acoolant conduit coupled between, and providing fluid communicationbetween the inlet of the protective helmet and the air intake; at leastone ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having a warming wafer surfaceopposing a cooling wafer surface, positioned in close proximity to thecoolant conduit and oriented such that the cooling wafer faces thecoolant conduit; and a power supply operatively coupled to the ceramicwafered thermoelectric device, whereby the ceramic waferedthermoelectric device promotes heat transfer between the coolant conduitand the cooling wafer surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fluid heat exchangerapparatus according to certain aspects of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid heat exchangerapparatus of FIG. 1, taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optional blower for use withthe fluid heat exchanger apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a cooled racing jumpsuitfor use with the fluid heat exchanger apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a 3-way valve assembly coupledbetween the fluid heat exchanger apparatus, the cooled jumpsuit and asource of flame suppression fluid; and

[0023]FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a cooled racing helmetassembly utilizing a fluid heat exchanger apparatus according to anaspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] A method and apparatus for heating and/or cooling fluids intransit is disclosed. More particularly, a personal cooling device foruse with hazardous duty equipment or apparel, or for use with racingequipment or apparel is disclosed. In the following description, forpurposes of explanation, specific references are set forth to provide athorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will understandthese detailed explanations to be non-limiting and encompassing obviousvariations of the detailed description.

[0025] The ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices (CWTD) utilize twothin ceramic wafers with a series of bismuth telluride semi-conductorblocks sandwiched therebetween which are sufficiently doped to exhibitan excess of electrons (P) or a deficiency of electrons (N). The ceramicwafer material provides an electrically-insulated and mechanically rigidsupport structure for the thermoelectric device. The “P&N” typesemiconductor blocks are electrically interconnected such that, uponelectrical activation and depending upon the polarity, heat istransferred from one ceramic wafer to the opposite wafer causing a firstceramic wafer to become cooled while the opposing ceramic wafer becomeshot. The CWTDs are commercially available, for example, as the ZMAX®(line from Tellurex Corporation, Traverse City, Mich.(www.tellurex.com).

[0026] The structure of an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionmay be assembled utilizing 1.5 inch aluminum tubing, 0.375 inch polymertubing, two ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices having wafer surfacearea approximately measuring 2.25 inches squared, and two aluminumconduits for distributing the fluid flow between the sections of 0.375inch polymer tubing.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a fluidheat exchanger assembly 10 for use with the present invention includes aprimary fluid conduit 12 having a fluid inlet 14 and a fluid outlet 16,and a secondary fluid conduit 18 having a fluid inlet 20 and a fluidoutlet 22. In this exemplary embodiment, the secondary fluid conduit 18branches from, and is in fluid communication with, the primary fluidconduit at a point 24 upstream from a heat exchange section 26 such thatfluid flowing into the inlet 14 of the primary fluid conduit 12 willflow into the fluid inlet 20 of the secondary fluid conduit 18. At apoint 24 upstream from the heat exchanger section 26, the secondaryfluid conduit 18 branches into a pair of parallel (in a flow sense),conduit branches 28A and 28B, each of which are coupled to a respectivepair of heat exchange conduits 30A and 30B.

[0028] Each heat exchange conduit 30A, 30B is a fluid conduit of heattransfer material, such as aluminum, having an inlet 32A, 32B, an outlet34A, 34B and a substantially planar heat exchange segment 36A, 36Bpositioned therebetween. Each heat exchange conduit 30A, 30B ispositioned on opposite radial sides of the primary fluid conduit 12 inthe heat exchange section 26, and each sandwiches a ceramic waferedthermoelectric device 38 therebetween. As discussed above, each CWTD 38includes a ceramic wafer 40A, 40B that becomes relatively hot and aceramic wafer 42A, 42B that becomes relatively cool when power issupplied to the leads 44 of the CWTD 38. A power source (not shown)provides 12VDC to the leads 44 when activated. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the hot wafer 40A, 40B faces the primary fluid conduit 12and the cool wafer 42A, 42B faces the heat exchange segment 36A, 36B ofthe heat exchange conduit 30 in fluid communication with the secondaryfluid conduit 18. In the exemplary embodiment, the heat exchange segment36A, 36B of the heat exchange conduit 30A, 30B is divided into aplurality of discrete paths 46A, 46B to increase surface area contactbetween the heat exchange material of the heat exchange conduit 30A, 30Band the fluid flowing therethrough (See FIG. 2 in particular).

[0029] As power is delivered to the CWTDs 38 by leads 44, the hotceramic wafer 40A, 40B becomes relatively hot by drawing the thermalenergy away from cold ceramic wafer 42A, 42B and the thermal energygenerated by the semiconductors as a result of current flowtherethrough. The difference in temperature between the hot ceramicwafer 40A, 40B and the temperature of the fluid within the primary fluidconduit 12 establishes a gradient for thermal energy transfer to thefluid in the primary fluid conduit from the hot ceramic wafer 40A, 40B.Concurrently, the cold ceramic wafer 42A, 42B becomes relatively cold asthermal energy is drawn away from its surface. The difference intemperature between the cold ceramic wafer 42A, 42B and the fluid withinheat exchange conduit 30A, 30B establishes a gradient for thermal energytransfer from the fluid flowing within heat exchange conduit 30A, 30B tothe cold ceramic wafer 42A, 42B. In sum, the result is fluid passingwithin primary fluid conduit 12 being heated or increased in temperatureby operation of the CWTDs 38; and, simultaneously, the fluid passingwithin secondary fluid conduit 18 is cooled or decreased in temperatureby operation of the CWTDs 38.

[0030] After the fluid within primary fluid conduit 12 has passedthrough the heat exchange section 26, the warmer fluid is expelled viathe fluid outlet 16. Concurrently, cooler fluid within secondary fluidconduit 18, after having passed through the heat exchange section 26, isthereafter expelled via the fluid outlet 22.

[0031] As will be described in a first exemplary application of thisheat exchanger assembly 10, the fluid outlet 22 from the secondary fluidconduit 18 provides a source of cooled air to an apparel item of arace-car driver and the fluid outlet 16 from the primary fluid conduit12 is in fluid communication with an exhaust port or channel.

[0032] If the orientation of the CWTDs 38 are switched, or if thepolarity of the power supplied to the leads 44 of the CWTDs 38 werereversed, then the fluid flowing through the primary fluid conduit 12would be cooled and the fluid flowing through the secondary fluidconduit 18 would be heated. Thus, as will be described below in a secondexemplary application of this heat exchanger assembly 10, the CWTDs 38are reversed as described, the fluid outlet 16 from the primary fluidconduit 12 provides a source of cooled air to a helmet of a race-cardriver and the fluid outlet 22 from the secondary fluid conduit 18 is influid communication with an exhaust port or channel.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, it is within the scope of the presentinvention to utilize a fluid pump, such as a blower 48, to acceleratethe fluids flowing through the primary and/or secondary conduits 12, 18.The blower 48 of FIG. 3 is coupled in fluid communication with theprimary conduit 12, upstream from the heat exchange section 26, by afluid conduit 50 that branches from the primary fluid conduit 12. As theblower 48 operates, fluid is drawn from the environment into the blower48 and pushed through the branch conduit 50, thereafter arriving inprimary fluid conduit 12. The fluid flow generated by blower 48 resultsin a decrease in fluid pressure in the inlet 14 upstream from primaryconduit 12. This decrease in pressure results in a pressure differentialbetween the fluid source and fluid at the entrance of the inlet 14, thusinducing fluid flow into the inlet 14 and directionally toward primaryfluid conduit 12. It is within the scope of the present invention toprovide a pump with more than one fluid outlet, or provide a pluralityof pumps with one or more fluid outlets for generating flow in thedirection of the primary conduit 12. It is within the scope of thisaspect of the present invention that the blower 48 be substituted withany type of pump which can create a pressure differential in the fluid,thereby promoting fluid flow in a desired direction. Examples of pumpswhich may be used with the present invention include, withoutlimitation, fans, positive displacement pumps, gear pumps andcentrifugal pumps.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, a first exemplary application for the fluidheat exchanger assembly 10 is to cool a jumpsuit 52 worn by a race-cardriver. The jumpsuit 52 includes a plurality of conduits 54 extendinginto various regions of the jumpsuit 52, where the conduits 54 includeair exit ports 56 that allow cool air to be released in the respectiveregion of the jumpsuit 52. Each of the conduits 54 are coupled for fluidcommunication with an inlet conduit 57 that, in turn, includes aquick-disconnect coupling 58 for providing fluid communication with asource of cooled air, such as the fluid outlet 22 of the fluid heatexchanger assembly 10.

[0035] The plurality of conduits 54 are a structure of flexible hosesdivided into five sections for total body cooling. The sections are:left front lower conduit 54A, right front lower conduit 54B, right frontupper conduit 54C, left front upper conduit 54D and a conduit 54E forthe neck and/or head cooling, or for leading to the rear of the jumpsuit52. Inlet conduit 57 may be secured to the jumpsuit (Kevlar Safety Suit)52. The user may additionally have a mechanism (not shown) convenientlyplaced in relation to the position of the user's appendages therebyenabling the user to provide restriction of the fluid flow if thedesired cooling effect is being or has been achieved.

[0036] In addition to the jumpsuit 52, it is also within the scope ofthe present invention to provide conduits for fluid flow within aprotective harness, a belt, a shoe, a sock, a glove, hazardous dutyapparel (such as firefighting apparel) and/or racing apparel.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, a three-way valve 60 may be provided in fluidcommunication between the source of cooled air 62, a source ofcombustion suppression fluid 64 and a fluid outlet 65, which includes aquick-disconnect coupling 66 adapted to mate with the quick-disconnectcoupling of the jumpsuit 52. The source of cooled air 62 may be thefluid outlet 22 of the fluid heat exchanger assembly 10. The three-wayvalve 60 may be operated in such a manner so as to selectively providefluid communication between the fluid outlet 65 and the source of thecooled air 62 to the exclusion of combustion suppression source 64, orto selectively provide fluid communication between the fluid outlet 65and the combustion suppression source 64 to the exclusion of the sourceof cooled air 62. The three-way valve 60 may be electrically connectedvia leads 68 to a power source (not shown) in which case the user mayutilize a manual switch 70 or an automatic switch (not shown) to optionbetween the fluid communication possibilities offered.

[0038] The combustion suppression source 64 may be continuously in fluidcommunication with a combustion suppression hose 72. Combustionsuppression fluid may be any available combustion suppression agenthaving as a suppression ingredient fluid or solid matter disbursedutilizing a fluid medium. Examples of such suppression ingredientsinclude water, carbon dioxide, sand and dry powders.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, a second exemplary application for the fluidheat exchanger assembly 10 is to provide cooling air to a racer's helmet74. In this application, the polarity of the CWTDs 38 are reversed sothat the air in the primary conduit 12 is cooled and the air in thesecondary conduit 18 is heated. A duct 76, positioned at the inlet 14 ofthe primary conduit 12, may be mounted, for example, in a driver's doorwindow opening in the lower comer closest to the front of the vehicle toreceive air flowing thereover. As the velocity of the air passing by theduct 76 increases, more and more air is drawn into the duct 76, and, inturn, the inlet 14. The duct 76 may be cupped in shape to induce air tobe drawn into the duct 76 and thereby push air into primary conduit 12.At the cupped based of duct 76, an interface 78 is formed betweenprimary conduit 12 and duct 76. The interface 78 is the point at whichthe air becomes axially surrounded by primary conduit 12. The continualflow of air into the duct 76 provides the driving force to move the airfrom the duct 76 into primary conduit 12. Commercially available ductscan be ordered as part number FA-NACA from helmetcity.com.

[0040] The helmet 74 includes a built in side helmet port 80 for matingwith the outlet 16 of the primary conduit 12. The side helmet port 80 isin fluid communication with an inner conduit or bladder 82 fordistributing the cooled air about and/or onto the wearer's head. Theconstruction of such an inner bladder 82 or conduit will be readilyascertained by those of ordinary skill in the art. The fluid outlet 18,in this application, is coupled to an exhaust port or conduit (notshown) for removing the heated air.

[0041] While exemplary applications for the fluid heat exchangerassembly 10 utilize cooled fluid expelled within a hazardous duty/racingsuit or helmet, it is also within the scope of the present invention toprovide a similar apparatus which expels heated fluid in situations inwhich such heated fluid is desired by the user in either a suit orhelmet.

[0042] With each of the embodiments disclosed herein, it is within thescope of the invention to incorporate a feedback control system withpower supplied to the CWTDs 38 for regulating the temperature of thefluid being heated or cooled. Such a control system would be easilyavailable to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0043] Following from the above description and invention summaries, itshould be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while theprocesses and systems herein described constitute exemplary embodimentsof the present invention, it is understood that the inventions containedherein are not limited to these precise processes and systems and thatchanges may be made to them without departing from the scope of theinventions as defined by the claims.

[0044] Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention isdefined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations orelements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to beincorporated into the meanings of the claims unless such limitations orelements are explicitly listed in the claims. Likewise, it is to beunderstood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identifiedadvantages or objects of the inventions disclosed herein in order tofall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined bythe claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of thepresent invention may exist even though they may not have beenexplicitly discussed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid heat exchanger assembly comprising: a) afluid inlet; b) a cooler fluid conduit in fluid communication with thefluid inlet and having a cooler fluid outlet; c) a warmer fluid conduitin fluid communication with the fluid inlet and having a warmer fluidoutlet; and d) at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device,having a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface,positioned between the warmer fluid conduit and the cooler fluidconduit, such that the cooling wafer surface faces the cooler fluidconduit and the warming wafer surface faces the warmer fluid conduit,and upon electrical activation, the cooling wafer surface becomes cool,and the warming wafer surface becomes warm relative to the temperatureof the fluid within each conduit.
 2. The fluid heat exchanger assemblyof claim 1, wherein at least one of the warmer fluid conduit and thecooler fluid conduit include a segment of rigid heat transfer materialthat contacts a respective warming wafer surface or cooling wafersurface.
 3. The fluid heat exchanger assembly of claim 2, wherein thesegment of rigid heat transfer material is aluminum and contains aplurality of fluid paths.
 4. The fluid heat exchanger assembly of claim1, wherein the fluid inlet is tubular in shape.
 5. The fluid heatexchanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid is air.
 6. The fluidheat exchanger assembly of claim 5, wherein the fluid inlet ispositioned in a vehicle to receive ambient air flowing therein as thevehicle is moving, and the cooler fluid outlet is directed into at leastone item taken from the group consisting of: a body-suit worn by adriver of the vehicle, apparel worn by a driver of the vehicle, andprotective equipment worn by a driver of the vehicle.
 7. The fluid heatexchanger assembly of claim 6, wherein the item is a body-suit worn by adriver of a vehicle, the body-suit includes a plurality of fluidconduits extending into different portions of the suit, the plurality ofconduits in the body-suit each have fluid outlets in their respectiveportions of the body-suit, and the plurality of conduits in thebody-suit are each in fluid communication with the cooler fluid inlet.8. The fluid heat exchanger assembly of claim 6, wherein the item is aprotective helmet worn by the driver of the vehicle.
 9. The fluid heatexchanger assembly of claim 5, wherein the fluid inlet is positionedwith respect to a vehicle to receive ambient air flowing thereabout asthe vehicle is moving, and the warmer fluid outlet is directed into atleast one item taken from the group consisting of: a body-suit worn by adriver of the vehicle, apparel worn by a driver of the vehicle, andprotective equipment worn by a driver of the vehicle.
 10. The fluid heatexchanger assembly of claim 9, wherein the item is a body-suit worn by adriver of a vehicle, the body-suit includes a plurality of fluidconduits extending into different portions of the suit, the plurality ofconduits in the body-suit each have fluid outlets in their respectiveportions of the body-suit, and the plurality of conduits in thebody-suit are each in fluid communication with the warmer fluid inlet.11. The fluid heat exchanger assembly of claim 9, wherein the item is aprotective helmet worn by the driver of the vehicle.
 12. A method ofexchanging heat between at least two fluid conduits comprising the stepsof: a) providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric devicehaving at least a cooling wafer surface and a warming wafer surfaceopposing the cooling wafer surface; and b) positioning the ceramicwafered thermoelectric device to develop a thermal gradient betweenfluid within a conduit to be cooled and the cooling wafer surface of theceramic wafered thermoelectric device, and a thermal gradient betweenfluid within a conduit to be heated and the warming wafer surface of theceramic wafered thermoelectric device.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein the step of developing a thermal gradient includes the steps of:b1) transferring heat from the fluid within the conduit to be cooled tothe cooling wafer surface of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device;b2) transferring heat between the ceramic wafered thermoelectricdevice's cooling wafer surface to the warming wafer surface; and b3)transferring heat from the warming wafer surface of the ceramic waferedthermoelectric device to the fluid within the conduit to be heated. 14.The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of: c) increasingthe fluid flow within at least one of the conduit to be cooled and theconduit to be heated by utilizing at least one of a fan and a pump. 15.A fluid heat exchanging assembly comprising: a) a fluid inlet; b) acooler fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet andsplitting into at least two parallel conduits between the fluid inletand at least one cooler fluid outlet; c) at least one warmer fluidconduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; d) at least twoceramic wafered thermoelectric devices, each having a cooling wafersurface opposing a warming wafer surface; a first one of the ceramicwafered thermoelectric wafered devices being positioned between thewarmer fluid conduit and a first one of the parallel cooler conduits,such that the cooling wafer surface faces the first one of the parallelcooler conduits and the warming wafer faces the warmer fluid conduit,and the second ceramic wafered thermoelectric device being positionedbetween the warmer fluid conduit and a second one of the parallel coolerconduits, such that the cooling wafer surface faces the second one ofthe parallel cooler conduits and the warming wafer faces the warmerfluid conduit; e) a power source operatively coupled to the ceramicwafered thermoelectric device; and f) a warmer fluid outlet in fluidcommunication with the warmer fluid conduit.
 16. The fluid heatexchanging assembly of claim 15 further comprising: g) at least one of afan and pump operatively coupled to the fluid inlet directing fluid flowinto the fluid inlet.
 17. The fluid heat exchanging assembly of claim 15further comprising: h) a combustion suppression fluid source; and i) athree-way valve having a first inlet in fluid communication with thecooler fluid outlet, a valve and a second inlet in fluid communicationwith the combustion suppression fluid source; wherein the three wayvalve is selectively switchable between at least a first and secondorientation, the first orientation providing fluid communication betweenthe cooler fluid outlet and the valve outlet and the second orientationproviding fluid communication between the combustion suppression fluidsource and the valve outlet.
 18. The fluid heat exchanging assembly ofclaim 17 wherein the valve outlet is in fluid communication with aconduit extending into an item of hazardous duty apparel.
 19. The fluidheat exchanging assembly of claim 17 wherein operation of the three-wayvalve is effectuated by a user of the assembly.
 20. The fluid heatexchanging assembly of claim 15 wherein the cooler fluid outlet is influid communication with a conduit extending into a protective equipmentitem.
 21. A fluid heat exchanging assembly comprising: a) a fluid inlet;b) a warmer fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inletand splitting into at least two parallel conduits between the fluidinlet and at least one warmer fluid outlet; c) at least one cooler fluidconduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; d) at least twoceramic wafered thermoelectric devices, each having a cooling wafersurface opposing a warming wafer surface; a first one of the ceramicwafered thermoelectric devices being positioned between the cooler fluidconduit and a first one of the parallel conduits, such that the warmingwafer surface faces the first one of the parallel conduits and thecooling wafer faces the cooler fluid conduit and the second ceramicwafered thermoelectric device being positioned between the warmer fluidconduit and a second one of the parallel conduits, such that the warmingwafer surface faces the second one of the parallel conduits, and thecooling wafer surface faces the cooler fluid conduit; e) a power sourceoperatively coupled to the ceramic wafer thermoelectric device; and f) acooler fluid outlet in fluid communication with the cooler fluidconduit.
 22. The fluid heat exchanging assembly of claim 21 furthercomprising: g) at least one of a fan and pump positioned in fluidcommunication with the fluid inlet and accelerating fluid flow into thefluid inlet.
 23. The fluid heat exchanging assembly of claim 22 furthercomprising: h) a combustion suppression fluid source; and i) a three-wayvalve having a first inlet in fluid communication with one of the warmerfluid outlet and the cooler fluid outlet, a valve outlet and a secondinlet in fluid communication with the combustion suppression fluidsource; and wherein the three way valve is selectively switchablebetween at least a first and second orientation, the first orientationproviding fluid communication between the one of the warmer fluid outletand the cooler fluid outlet and the valve outlet and the secondorientation providing fluid communication between the combustionsuppression fluid source and the valve outlet.
 24. The fluid heatexchanging assembly of claim 23 wherein the cooling fluid outlet is influid communication with a conduit extending into an item of hazardousduty apparel.
 25. The fluid heat exchanging assembly of claim 23wherein, operation of the three-way valve is effectuated by a user ofthe assembly.
 26. The assembly of claim 23, wherein operation of thethree-way valve is automatically controlled.
 27. The fluid heatexchanging assembly of claim 21 wherein the cooling fluid outlet is influid communication with a conduit extending into a protective helmet.28. A method of cooling the epidermis of a human being comprising thesteps of: a) providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectricdevice having at least a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warmingwafer surface; b) utilizing the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device todevelop a thermal gradient between the fluid to be cooled and thecooling wafer surface of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; andc) directing the cooled fluid to a region in fluid communication withthe epidermis of a human being.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein thestep of developing a thermal gradient includes the steps of: b1)transferring heat from the fluid to be cooled to the cooling wafersurface of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; and b2)transferring heat between the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device'scooling wafer surface to the warming wafer surface.
 30. The method ofclaim 29 wherein the step of directing the cooled fluid to a region influid communication with the epidermis of a human being includes thesteps of: c1) wearing, by the human being, a body-suit including aplurality of fluid conduits extending into different parts of thebody-suit, the plurality of fluid conduits in the body-suit each havingfluid outlets; and c2) introducing the cooled fluid into the pluralityof fluid conduits.
 31. A method for protecting the epidermis of a humanbeing comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one ceramic waferedthermoelectric device having at least a cooling wafer surface and anopposed warming wafer surface; b) utilizing the ceramic waferedthermoelectric device to develop a thermal gradient between the fluid tobe cooled and the cooling wafer surface of the ceramic waferedthermoelectric device; c) directing the cooled fluid to a region influid communication with the epidermis of a human being; and d)selectively injecting a combustion suppression fluid in place of, oralong with, the cooled fluid when conditions for combustion are present.32. A method of cooling the epidermis of a human being comprising thesteps of: a) providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectricdevice having at least a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warmingwafer surface; b) utilizing the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device todevelop a thermal gradient between the fluid to be cooled and thecooling wafer surface of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; c)wearing hazardous duty apparel, by a human being, having a plurality ofconduits for cooling fluid flow; d) cooling the fluid so as to be at atemperature less than the ambient entering temperature of the coolingfluid; and e) directing the cooling fluid into the plurality of conduitsin the hazardous duty apparel.
 33. A personal cooling device for usewith hazardous duty and/or racing equipment and/or apparel, comprising:a) an air conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being influid communication with an air path extending into at least one itemtaken from a group consisting of: racing apparel, hazardous dutyapparel, a protective helmet, a harness, a belt, a shoe, a glove, a sockand a body suit; and b) at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectricdevice having a warming wafer surface opposing a cooling wafer surface,positioned in close proximity to the air conduit and such that thecooling wafer surface faces the air conduit, so as to allow heattransfer between the air conduit and the cooling wafer surface.
 34. Thepersonal cooling device of claim 33, wherein the inlet is adapted to bemounted within a vehicle so as to be in fluid communication with ambientair flowing over the vehicle as the vehicle is moving, and the item isadapted to be worn by at least an operator of the vehicle.
 35. Thepersonal cooling device of claim 34 further comprising an air-flowaccelerator positioned in fluid communication with the air conduit. 36.The personal cooling device of claim 33, further comprising an exhaustconduit in fluid communication with the air conduit, at least a portionof which is positioned in close proximity to the warming wafer surfaceso as to allow heat transfer between the warming wafer surface and theexhaust conduit.
 37. The personal cooling device of claim 33, whereinthe air conduit includes a segment positioned in close proximity to thecooling wafer surface that is of a substantially rigid heat transfermaterial.
 38. The personal cooling device of claim 37, wherein thesegment includes a substantially planar surface facing the cooling wafersurface.
 39. The personal cooling device of claim 38, wherein thesubstantially planar surface of the segment contacts the cooling wafersurface.
 40. The personal cooling device of claim 39, wherein thesubstantially planar surface of the segment has a surface areaapproximate to that of the cooling wafer surface.
 41. The personalcooling device of claim 38, wherein the segment includes an inlet and anoutlet and a plurality of individual air paths in fluid communicationbetween the inlet and the outlet, wherein at least a portion of each ofthe air paths run in close proximity to the substantially planar surfaceof the segment.
 42. The personal cooling device of claim 38, wherein theheat transfer material is aluminum.
 43. The personal cooling device ofclaim 34, wherein the item is an apparel item and the air path extendinginto the apparel item comprises a plurality of sub-conduits respectivelyextending into various regions of the apparel item, and each having atleast one outlet in the respective region of the apparel item.
 44. Apersonal cooling system for a race-car driver, comprising: a) aprotective helmet having at least one coolant air path extending thereinin fluid communication with an inlet; b) an air intake mounted to therace-car adapted to receive at least a portion of air flowing past therace-car; c) a coolant conduit coupled between, and providing fluidcommunication between the inlet of the protective helmet and the airintake; d) at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having awarming wafer surface opposing a cooling wafer surface, positioned inclose proximity to the coolant conduit and oriented such that thecooling wafer surface faces the coolant conduit; and e) a power supplyoperatively coupled to the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device;whereby, the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device promotes heattransfer between the coolant conduit and the cooling wafer surface. 45.The personal cooling system of claim 44, further comprising an exhaustconduit, at least a portion of which is positioned in close proximity tothe ceramic wafered thermoelectric device, the ceramic waferedthermoelectric device being further oriented such that the warming wafersurface faces the portion of the exhaust conduit.
 46. The personalcooling system of claim 45, wherein the exhaust conduit is coupled to bein fluid communication with the cooling conduit, upstream from a portionof the cooling conduit that is in close proximity to the cooling wafersurface so that the exhaust conduit receives a portion of the airflowing into the air intake.
 47. The personal cooling system of claim45, wherein the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device is positionedbetween, and in contact with, the cooling conduit and the exhaustconduit.
 48. The personal cooling system of claim 47, wherein theportion of the exhaust conduit positioned in close proximity to theceramic wafered thermoelectric device is formed from a heat transfermaterial.
 49. The personal cooling system of claim 48, wherein the heattransfer material includes aluminum.
 50. The personal cooling system ofclaim 48, wherein the portion of the exhaust conduit positioned in closeproximity to the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device includes a planarsurface contacting the warming wafer surface.
 51. The personal coolingsystem of claim 50, wherein the portion of the exhaust conduitpositioned in close proximity to the ceramic wafered thermoelectricdevice includes an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of discrete airpassages between the inlet and the outlet.
 52. The personal coolingsystem of claim 47, further comprising a second one of the exhaustconduits sandwiching a second ceramic wafered thermoelectric devicebetween the second exhaust conduit and the cooling conduit such that thecooling wafer surface of the second ceramic wafered thermoelectricdevice contacts the cooling conduit and such that the warming wafersurface of the second ceramic wafered thermoelectric device contacts thesecond exhaust conduit.